Chapter One---The Difference
It had long since grown dark but the blonde that sat on the edge of the bed made no effort to move or turn on the lights. He liked it better dark. If it was dark, then he couldn't see and if he couldn't see, he wouldn't be reminded that he was alone.
"I'm sorry Cloud… it… it just isn't, didn't… won't work."
Those horrible words still echoed in his mind, torturing him with their finality. It was over. Five years and it was over. Some part of Cloud was angry… furious. What did that silver haired twit have that Cloud didn't? Sighing, Cloud had to laugh at himself.
Sephiroth Disarrano had everything. Money, looks, charm, intelligence, great style and great abs. Cloud looked at his own abs. His were great too but Sephiroth just held that allure, that intrigue, that Zack had always been drawn to; Except he used to be drawn to the mystery that was Cloud. The mystery had worn off after so many years together.
"It wasn't meant to be."
Zack Fair had effectively taken what was left of Cloud's heart and shattered it on a concrete floor. Staring at his darkened ceiling, Cloud thought back on Zack's departure. It hurt. It turned his world into disarray but somehow, deep down, Cloud knew it was better off this way. He needed to get out of this place. Zack Fair didn't know, it but he'd just given Cloud his life back.
Cheating bastard.
"Hellur? Oh! Cloudy!!! Why are you calling me?" Sora smiled at his phone, tilting his head in question as if Cloud could actually see him.
"Yea, that would be so great! Of course you can stay with us!" Axel slapped himself (quite a bit harder than he'd initially intended too) when he heard his brother invite Cloud Strife to stay with them. Thank God Cloud never stayed for long-
"The summer? Of course that's ok! Axel doesn't mind, do you Axel?" Axel held up a finger, about to protest when Sora continued on, ignoring the red head completely.
"See? It's all settled, you'll stay with us this summer! Don't worry, we'll find you some super hot babelicious boy toy and you'll forget all about that fogrot whatshisface… yea, sure, that. Whatever, we'll see you tomorrow!!!"
Snapping his phone shut Sora turned to Axel.
"Axel, isn't this exciting?! The three of us. Together. For the entire summer vacation!" Sora threw his arms around the taller teens neck before waltzing off to do whatever it was that had entered that pretty little head of his, leaving Axel very upset and out of cigarettes.
"God, this summer couldn't get any worse and it hasn't even started! I swear, Karma or Fate or whoever that bitch is, has it out for me." Axel fumed, pacing back and forth in front of a bemused Vincent Valentine. Axel had called him in a foul mood, asking if it was alright that he to go to the studio and get some melodies out of his head. Vincent, of course, had obliged, bringing the pack of Camel's he knew Axel would be out of if his nasty disposition was any indicator.
"I'm sure it's not as bad as you're making it out to be… wait, what's going on? You never told me and I brought you your cancer sticks." Vincent's crimson eyes watched long fingers tangle in red tresses as Axel growled and finally stilled, sitting beside him.
"My cousin Cloud is coming. I mean, Sora loves him and all, and he is my cousin, but come on! Can anyone be more of a whiney-emo-mood-killing brat? All he does is sit there and glare or sulk or… or… whatever the hell it is that he does! I swear if he just put on some eyeliner he'd be the friggin' Emo Poster Boy. I've never seen the guy smile. Not even when he was with that stupid butt-wipe boyfriend of his!" Vincent started at this and turned to look the teen in the eye.
"Zack and Cloud broke up?" If Axel didn't know better, he'd swear the raven haired man was surprised. Good thing he knew better.
"Yea they- wait. You know this fogrot?" Axel stopped and mentally slapped himself. He spent way too much time with Sora.
"We all went to high school together. They've been together since our junior year… contrary to what you think, Cloud used to smile a lot and Zack was a good guy." Axel snorted rather unattractively, inhaling deeply on his menthol.
"Yea, right, well this good guy left the retarded loser for some Sephiroth guy. Cloud's all broken up about it or some crap and has decided to stay the summer. That was the whole point of this little expedition, by the way."
"Of course, heaven forbid you ever come by because you want to see me." The corner of Vincent's lips were slightly turned upward in a figment of a smirk, while Axel scoffed and walked away, leaving the man staring at his rather attractive backside.
"Right, because we both know the only person in this town worth coming to see is me. Keep your priorities straight, Jesus."
A.n:
Elli-san: -crickets chirp- Oo No, I'm fine.
Ulti-chan: Shakes head Remember folks, this has been an Ultimate Sorceress and Ellichi production, drive safely and don't say bad words!
Elli-san: You freak.
Review!!!
Ultichi!
